Display box easel cover



Aug. 23, 1949. I DAVlDSON 2,479,910

DISPLAY BOX EASEL COVER Filed July 17, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 V INVENTOR BRUCE J. DAVIDSON 1949- B. J. DAVIDSON 2,479,910

DISPLAY BOX EASEL COVER Filed July 17, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR BRUCE J 04 V/DSON RNE Patented Aug. 23, 1949 DISPLAY 30X EASEL COVER Eruce Z Davidson, Manhasset, N. Y., assignor to National Biscuit Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application July 17, 1944, Serial No. 545,280

6 Claims.

My invention pertains to display boxes and particularly to boxes that serve as shipping containers for the merchandise and, when received by the merchant, are adapted to provide an effectual display of the goods.

The present invention is an improvement upon the carton shown in my Patent No. 2,006,445, granted July 2, 1935, and has for its principal object to provide a display box wherein a box that is relatively long in relation to its depth may be stably supported at a high angle for display of its contents.

Another object is to provide a high angle display box that will occupy a minimum of counter space, yet will be stable at all stages of fullness,

cheap to manufacture, easy to set up, and will display the merchandise attractively.

Another object is to provide a card board or other box having a removable cover, wherein the cover is cut and scored so that it can be folded to form an easel or support for the box to display the merchandise therein.

Another object is to provide a display box wherein an easel formed from the cover supports both the back and an end of the box, the box being supported at such an angle that nearly all of its weight at all stages of fullness is supported by the lower corner of the box and very little by the easel.

Another object is to form the cover of a box so that it may be folded to make an easel to support the back and an end of the box and the side flanges of the cover will engage the sides of the box to keep it from lateral displacement on the end support.

In the accompanying drawings, I have illustrated three forms or embodiments of my invention, each adapted to attain the foregoing and other objects and advantages.

Fig. 1 shows a card board blank adapted to form a cover for a box and to be folded to form an easel to support the box.

Fig. 2 shows a box closed by a cover formed from the blank of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows the cover removed from the box.

Fig. 4 shows the cover folded to form an easel for supporting the box.

Fig. 5 is a section on line 5-5 of Fig. 4, showing the box supported on the easel.

Fig. 6 is a diagram showing how the dimensions of the blank of Fig. 1 may be determined graphically.

Fig. 7 shows a blank for makin another form of box cover and easel.

. forming the cover.

Fig. 8 shows a cover formed from the blank of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 shows the cover of Fig. 7 folded to form an easel for supporting the box in display position.

Fig. 10 is a section on the line Illl0 of Fig. 9, showing the box supported on the cover.

Fig. 11 is another form of blank adapted to be folded to form a cover and easel.

Fig. 12 shows a cover formed from the blank of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 shows an easel formed from the cover of Fig. 12.

The blank of Fig. 1 is cut and scored to form in succession thereon a cover end panel I, a top panel 2, a cover end panel 3, an end support panel 4 and a locking flap 5, the adjoining sides of these parts being defined by score lines 6, I, 8, and 9, on which the material may be folded when The parts of the blank that in ordinary covers would form rectangular sides are cut away to form pairs of triangular sides or flanges Ii H and l2, l3, the apices of the triangles meeting at the edges of the top panel '2 2 near its center, where those on opposite sides are joined by a score line M extending across the top. The sides of the triangles join the top along score lines 15, I 6. The bases of the triangles I0, H have locking flaps [1, I8 adapted to lock together outside the end panel I to form the end of the cover, or the parts I, l1, l8 may be glued or secured by stapling. The bases of triangles I2, I 3 have locking flaps I9, which look together, or may be glued or stapled, inside of, but not fastened to the end panel 3 at one end of the cover.

A score line 2| extends across end panel 3 and divides it into a connecting section 22 and a base section 23. The line 2! joins the apices of triangular base Wings 2 8, 25, which are connected to the base section along score lines 26, 21. Each wing 24, 25 has an end flap 28, 29. The locking flap 5 has a tongue adapted to cooperate with a slit 3| in panel 4 adjacent the score line 8.

The blank is designed to form a cover for a rectangular box or carton 32 as shown in Fig. 2 that is relatively long in comparison with its height. Usually the length will be about three to four times the height. Heretofore, such boxes could not be supported stably at a high display angle.

To form a cover from the blank of Fig. 1, the end I and triangular sides H], II are turned down along score lines 6, l5, 16 until they are perpendicular to the top panel 2. Then the flaps l7, 18 are turned in outside of end I and secured together. The triangular flanges l2, 53 are then turned down and the flaps i9, 20 turned in and secured together. The base wings 2t, are next turned down along score lines 26, '27 and the flaps 2-8, 29 turned in. Next the panel 1 is turned down outside the flaps 28, 29 and the locking flap 5 turned in over flaps 2B, 29 so that the tongue 30 enters into the slip 3| to lock the parts 24, 25, 28, 29, 1, and 5 in operative position. The cover is now ready to be placed on the box as shown in Fig. 2 with the two sections 22, 23 of the end panel 3 covering 0ne-end of the box and the panel 4 tucked under it.

When the merchant receives the box filled with merchandise, the cover is removed and folded as shown in Fig. 4 to form a support for the box 32 as in Fig. 5. The sides or'triangles i2, it are inside of the sides 19, H, and the edges of the flaps l 26 have'a bearihg'at the juncture of the flaps H, I8 with the top panel 2 at the score line 6. The short connecting section 22 extends down 'until its edge at thesc'ore line 2i rests on the inside faces-of the flaps l1, H5. The part 23 of the end panel forms a rest or stand for the end of the box and is supported by the base wings 2d, 25, support 1 and locking "flap 5. The part 33 of the toppanel between the triangular flanges l2, it,

together with the connecting section 22, forms a :5,-

hinge member which also acts as a support or rest for the back orbottom of the box. The triangles I0, H are wider at their bases than triangles -l2, 13 so that they extend forwardly to provideguides 34f35'to position the box centrally on the end support and prevent its displacement.

InFig. '6,' I illustrate how the blank of Fig. 1 may be laid outgraphically, but the dimensions may be calculated since the dimensions of the parts and locations of the score lines are de- 44 pendent upon the length of the box, its height and the triginometric functions of the angle of display. However, it :is simpler to determine the dimensions-graphically. I show how this may be done inFig-B. 4

A heleng-thand height or depth of the box will always be-knoWn and also the display angle at which-it is to be supported.

'First, draw the vertical line AB somewhat longer than one-half the length of the top cover panel-2. From the point -A-draw line AC, making an-anglea whichistheanglethat the box is to make with the vertical when in displayposition, in this case-selected as 22 /2 'Ate, point D, de-

termined by trial, draw DE at'right angles-toAC until it intersects -A-B at "a point such that EA+AD-equalsthe length of the cover panel 2. At theipoint draw EF perpendicular to AB so that itinte'rsects AC at G. At G draw GI-I making the -angle 'a -with line Make the length GH equal to the height-of the box less'the distance "At'H'erect a'perpendicular to GH and ext-end 'it to'intersectEF at I. Lay offEJ equal to the height of the box and draw the line J A. This determines'all -essential"dimensions of th 'cover exbl'ep'tfor its width, which, of course, is the width of the box and in no way effects these dimensions. In this diagram the dimensions EAD (length of the box)-,-EJ --(height of box) and angle a (angle of display) are known. From the figure the following dimensions are determined:

thedeng'th of thetop'panelbe't'ween scores 'fi'and- M,

AD is the length of the top panel between scores 54 and 1.

ED is the length of the bases or short sides of triangles l2 and i3 and also the height of flaps i9,

[ED is the triangle I2 or 13.

AEJ is the triangle ill or H.

DG is the width=of the end pane'l section 22.

GH is the width of the end panel section 23.

HI is the Width of the parts 4 and 5.

GHI is the triangle 24 or 25.

, port and of the back of the box against the top edge at the fold line H.

In Figs. 7 to 1 0, 'I show 'anoth'er for m-of cover adapted to form 'a display easel. In Fig. 7, the one piece blank "has a panel that forms the top of the cover and is boundedon its two ends by score lines $6,?! and on its sides by some lines 39. A transverse line 40 'divides the panel into two sections 4|, 32. The transverse line -4'D is perforated at its two ends for a portion of its length 43, Hi, and -from'these per'fora'tedportions other perforated'lin'es 45, fifi-ex'tend to-a scoreline t? so as to define a hinge or tension member 43 connecting the sections 41 and '42 'andtwo arms or braces 19 on the section-"4|. The length of the section 42 will equal the h'eight'oi the box and may be less than its width, as "illustrated. 'On each side of section '44 'is a'triangularfiange or support til, '51, the acute angle 'o'f"whichis-equa1 to the display angle at which the'box is to be displayed. The flanges have flaps 52, 53 connected to their bases'along score lines 54, 55. An end panel or support 56 hasa locking flap 51 connected along a score '1ine58. A tongue 19 is adapted to engage "in *a slit "60 adjacent score 4 line 31.

At the otherend "of the blank there are two modified triangular sides "or flanges "GI, "62 extending from the line 40 to the end of 'theltop panel. The width of these triangles'attheir'bases isequal to the height of the box, arrdthebases are connected alongscore lines 63f6'4jto end closing flaps 65, "66. "An inner end flap '6"! -is connected'to th'etop'panel along sc'orelinetfi.

Fig. 8 shows a covefforme'd'from 'this'blarlk ready to close a carton. The'h'anges 6I,'62 and inner fiap fi'l are turned up, then 'thefiaps 65,156 are interlocked or-otherwisesecured 'together,'as by stapling or *gluin'g. The supporting flanges 58, 5i are then turned up"and*the*fiaps 52, "56

turnedin. Next the'end panel-or support 56 is turned up outside of 'fl'aps 52,-53,-the liap 51 is turned down and inside of fiapsfl'flffiil uritil the tongue 59 snaps into -the slit dfi. This eompletes the cover as shown in Fig. :8. ".Thesipart of'the coverto the right: of line' flm Fig. 7,' orabove it in Fig. 8, is adapted to "form :a base or support'for the lower end of the box and thelpart to theleft of line 40, Fig. 7, or belowit in Fig. 8, forms a brace for the back-of-thebox.

To forman easel: from .this-cover, it is :removed from the-b ox, as in Fi1g.8,. and the; periorated lines 53, 5 3, 15, lfibroken so as to release the tongue 48 along-its two sides but leaveit attached at-its two ends. "The support is 'then brought down within the flanges 6 I, 62, its movementbeing con- 5, trolled by tongue 48, until the points of triangles 59, strike the inside of the end flaps 65,66 and the long sides of the triangles and edgesof end 56 and flap 51 rest on the counter or other support. The position of the line 43, 40, 44, and length of the tension member or hinge 48 are determined so that when the cover is in display position, as

in Fig. 9, the points of triangles 50, 5|, and the top of the arms 49 on section 4| willlie in a plane that is perpendicular to the plane of section 42. The end of the box 32 will then rest on the section 42 and its back or bottom will be braced by the top ofthe arms 49 of section 4|. This is clearly shown in Fig. 10. The flanges 6|, 62 extend forward beyond the plane of the bottom of the box and form guides to prevent lateral displacement of the box on the support.

Figs. 11, 12 and 13 show another form of cover embodying my invention. The single piece blank is cut and scored so that the top panel is divided into two sections 68, 69 connected by a tension member or hinge section 19. Score lines 1|, [2 limit the ends of the top panel and the sides are formed by the score'lines 13, 14, I5, 16. The hinge l9 mom in part from the section 68, and lies between a short score line 11 and a score line 18 where it is connected to section 69. Thehinge section is formed by diverging cuts 19, 80 that extend from the score line ll to 18 and. form two arms or braces 8|, 82 on section 68. A transverse score line 83 provides a means whereby the tongue or hinge may be folded upon itself.

Triangular side flanges 84, 85 are connected to section '68 along the score lines l3, l4 andtheir bases or wide ends are equal to the height of the box. End closing flaps 86, 81, are connected to the flanges 84, 85 and are adapted to be secured together outside of an inner end flap 88 that adjoins section 68 along score line H Triangular supporting flanges 89, 99 are joined to section 69 along score lines l5, l6 and the angle that their outer edges makes with the score lines is the display angle for the box. Locking flaps 9|, 92 connected to the bases of the triangular sections are adapted to interlock with an end support panel 93 connected to section 69 along the score line 12.

To form a cover from the blank of Fig. 11, the hinge section 10 is turned over along score line 11 until it lies flat against section 68. The part 94 between scores 11, 83 is secured to section 68 in any suitable manner as by a staple 95 (Fig. 13) or gluing. The hinge is then turned on score line 83 back to its original position, in which its sloping sides now will overlap the sloping edges of the braces 8|, 82. The distance between the score line 18 and ends of the braces 8|, 82 is twice the distance between lines 11, 83 so that when the hinge is secured in position, the points of flanges 89, 98 will meet or substantially meet the ends of braces 8|, 82.

The next operation is to turn up flanges 84, 85,

and end 88, and secure the flaps 86, 81 together, as in other forms of the invention. Next, the supporting flanges 89, 99 and end 93 are turned up and the flaps 9|, 92 interlocked with end 93. The cover is now completed, as shown in Fig. 12, ready to form a closure for the box.

When the merchant removes the cover from the box, he may stand it on end on the counter as shown in Fig. 12. The top or support section is then swung out and down to the position shown in Fig. 13, the tension member 10 controlling the position of the support section. The length of the tension member 10 is chosen so that'in the position shown in Fig. 13, the line '18 and tops of the braces 8|, 82 will lie in a plane perpendicular to the section 69. When the end of a box is placed on the support section, the back or bottom of the box will rest against and be supported against overturning by the arms 8|, 82. The flanges 84,85 extend forward so as to engage the sides of the box and prevent its displacement.

The present invention is most efficient when applied to a box or carton that is relatively long as compared to its depth. When the length of the carton is two and one-half or more times its depth, it can be supported at a high angle of dis-- play and most of its weight will be supported on the lower corner of the .box 96 (Figs. 5 and 10) and there will be very little load on either the support or the brace. In some cases the most effective angle of display may be determined as that at which the filled box is in equilibrium on its edge 96, but this is not a fixed rule for determining the best angle.

j It will be seen from the foregoing illustrations and description'ofseveral adaptations of my invention that I have provided a cover for a car-ton that is adapted to be folded to form an easel to support the carton at a high display angle and hold' it stably in display position. The cover has three principal parts or assemblies which may be called the back brace, the support and the hinge or tension member connecting the two and determining their relative positions as parts of the easel. Thus, in Figs. 1 to 6, the parts 2, I0, I1 and I8 as a unit form a back support or brace for the carton 33 to prevent its being overturned backwards. The parts 23, 4, 5, 24, 25, 28, 29 as a unit form an end support for the box 33 to prevent itfrom' tilting forward. The parts 33, 22, 2, |3, l9 and 29, and particularly the parts 33, 22, form a hinge or tension'member connecting the other two parts and determining the position of the end support with respect to the rear brace.

There are similar or corresponding parts in Figs. 7 to 10, wherein 4|, 49, 6|, 62, 65, 66, 61 as a unit form the back brace. The parts 42, 50, 5|, 52, 53, 56, 57 form the end support. The tongue or hinge 48 connects the two. v

In Figs. 11 to 13 there also are similarly functioning parts. The parts 68, 8|, 82, 84, 85, 86, 81, 88 form the back brace unit. The parts 69, 89, 90, 9|, 92, 93 form the end support. The hinge or tension member 10 connects the two.

In all three forms, the cover side flanges extend forward far enough to embrace the sides of the box and hold it in proper position on the support.

In the modifications of Figs. 10 and 13, the widths of the parts 56, 57, 93 Will be made slightly longer than shown, usually about inch, so that the angle of the cradle for holding the box is slightly less than a right angle, as described in connection with Fig. 5. This gives a firm bearing of the back or bottom of the box against the top of the back brace. When the box is in display position as shown in Figs. 5 and 10, the weight of the box on the support causes a pull or tension in the hinge or tension member that pulls the top of the back support snugly forward against the bottom of the box. This also applies to Fig. 13 when a box is displayed thereon.

Having thus described my invention and what I now believe to be the best mode of applying the same, I claim all modifications, adaptations and equivalents thereof that may come within the scope or intent of my claims.

a rs,

triangular sides, and-a-hinge and-tension-sectiorr connecting the apex of said support with said back brace at a-point spaced from: the bottom-of said brace. v 7

2. An easel for supporting abox in display po=- sition formed from the cover for the box coinprising a back brace section having triangular sides and triangular sides, a triangular support having an inclined supporting surface and having) itsapex resting on said closed lower end and between'sa'id triangular sides, and a hinge and tension sec t'ion connecting the apex of said support with said back brace at a point spacedfror'n thebot tomof said brace, the apex of saidsupport. and the top of the back brace lying in anplane that is substantially perpendicular to said inclinedsupporting surface.

3I easel for supportinga box in display position formed from the cover for the box com prising a" back brace section having. triangular sides" and a clos'e'dlower end at the bases'of the triangular sides, a triangular support having. an

inclined supporting surface and havin its a ex resting on said" closed lower e'rld and between" said'triangul'ar'sides, arid a hinge section connecting the apex or said support with said" back prising a back brace section having triangular" sides and a" closed lower'enda't the ases of'the" triangular sides; atriangularsuppoft having an inclined supporting surface and having its" apex resting on said closed lower endan'd' betweeri'said triangular sides, and a hinge"sectionfeonneeting the apex of saidsupportwithsaidback braceln: termediateits top'and bottom;

5. An easel formed from card'board orthe 11a for supporting a box" in display position com- 'a closed lower end at the bases of the prising a back bracesection with-forwardly extending triangular sides and a closed-lower end at thebases of the triangular sides, a support for the end oi the box connected to the back brace by atension member, said tension member being secured to the-brace at a point substantially spaced from saidlower end said support comprising a supporting panel and locking member forming a double thickness of material that extends substantially at right angles to the end of the box when supported thereon in display position.

6. An easel formed from the cover of a box for sti 'niforti'ngthe box in displayposition,- comprising a covertop pane'l,=a first end panel normal to one ens of the top panel, triangular sides each extendingfrom a point on a side edge of the top panel to a side edge of the end panel, a' hinge niemberhingedly connected at one of its edges to a line on the top panel Spaced from said first end pans and movable between a position where it forms a part of thec'ove'r top and another position where it bridges a space between the cover top anu'the' inside of the end panel at a point spaced inwardly from the'fr'ee edge of the end panel; and a second end support panel with'triangular sides, hingedly connected with the edge opposite the first hinged edge of the hinge memher and movable between a position where it forms an-end for the cover and another position whereit forms a wedge' like' support for the lower end of the box with theed'ge of the wedge located inwardly from the edge of the first end panel and between its triangular sides when said hinge member is in its bridging position.

BRUCE J. DAVIDSON;

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the,

file of this patent:

UNITED' STATES PATENTS Num ber" 

